To think my dad could have arranged a meal out at a convienient time.

[thedownwardspiral]

I know I am but can i just have a little rant.
My parents invited dh and i to go with them for a meal to celebrate their ruby wedding, of course we would love to go, also invitied my brother and wife, they can't make it now so just us.
Anyway i have managed to organise a baby sitter so i asked today what time it would be and where, my mum didn't know where but told me they would pick us up at 6.45, i have 2 dc's under 5, most of my friends also have and there is no way i can get a babysitter for this time so I don't know if we wuill be able to go.
i know they invited us but i just think they could have realised how difficult this would be for us, dh doesn't even get jhome form work until 6.30pm.

[Lazycow]

Why not just explein the difficulties with the time. They probably just haven't thought about it.

[olympicsnotfederer]

are they retired?

I find that retired peeps very quickly forget how difficult it is to juggle work, kids and getting ready to go out.

We don't eat until 8-9pm most nights and my MIL thinks this is slatternly scandalous!

[thedownwardspiral]

my dad is not the most flexible person, yes they are retired but I don't think they would change table booking.

[TheProvincialLady]

Well either they change it or you can't go - it's not deliberate on your part.

[CountessDracula]

6.45?

How bizarrely early!

Can you not meet them there a bit later?

[thedownwardspiral]

Ok phoned my dad and they said they will change it to 7.10 pick up, still too early. argh why do old people eat so early.

[thedownwardspiral]

they knew it would be difficult to arrange a babysiter anyway (they are my usual babysitter) never mind a babysiter who will put the dc to bed as well as get someone to look after there own.

[olympicsnotfederer]

lol

for my dads 60th he said he would ake the family out for a meal

great, we thought

he booked the "early bird" menu

meet time was 5pm !!!!!!!!!!!!

[pointydog]

because they get tired earlier. Is 7.10 really too early for you?

[LazyLinePainterJane]

So when they said "we shall pick you up at this time...." why didn't you just say, "actually, sorry to be a pin but that's too early for us wrt babysitters, could you make it this time instead?"

?

[LazyLinePainterJane]

a pain, not a pin....but if you choose I suppose...

[olympicsnotfederer]

so weird early eating AND a tightwad too

5pm is a late lunch in my world

I would be starving again at 9pm

[motherinferior]

Yes, I think you need to explain clearly what time you can do this, and leave it there.

[DoubleBluff]

&pm is a normal time to gout for me - does that make me old?

[misdee]

ui must be old as well

[pointydog]

Are you panicking because you're not used to getting babysitters? Will it be a friend? If so, she'll be used to getting kids to bed.

I've babysat this early - I just leave my kids with dh to sort out.

[pointydog]

8 usual for me too

[thedownwardspiral]

It is just that it is not suitable for any of our babysitters without causing them major inconvience, I was really really looking forward to actually going out with dh for once.

[greenandpleasant]

YANBU! what person with small children would be ready to go out at 7.10? unless your babysitter can put them to bed or they go to bed really early?

I have dreadful memories of eating out with my grandparents at about 6.30 pm in empty and deathly quiet restaurants, meal finished at 7.30 and home by 7.45!

[pointydog]

Well, I'd be ready! Of course a babysitter can put children to bed.

I suppose everyone's situation is different.

[misdee]

have you asked your babysitters, or are you assuming it will be a major inconvience for them?

[thedownwardspiral]

No I have asked, her dh also works until 7.15.